Purple dyes were made from the mucous secretions ... workshop primarily used one marine snail species called the banded dye-murex to make the dye. The marine snail is scientifically known as ...

But the only natural source of purple dye is a species of predatory sea snail called the Murex snail. These snails can only be found in the eastern Mediterranean and off the coast of Morocco.

The much sought-after source of purple dye came from one of the glands of a sea snail called the murex. This particular shade, known as Tyrian, was unusual because it didn’t fade and became more ...